Glenville State College and Gilmer County have announced the launch of a new Appalachian Heritage program designed to increase literary discourse and community in the valley of the Little Kanawha River in north-central West Virginia.
Dubbed the "Little Kanawha Reading Series," the project aims to feature regional writers invited to Glenville as well as local writers and students who may engage in a regular schedule of public readings, poetry slams, and related activities.
A new campus-community activity is being developed through the collaborative efforts of the Glenville State College Department of Language and Literature, the Robert F. Kidd Library, and the Gilmer Public Library.
Dr. Jonathan Minton, of the Department of Language and Literature, said the program is also designed to connect literary communities in the state.
“The goal of the Little Kanawha Reading Series is to bring a variety of literary forms and voices to the communities around the Little Kanawha," Minton said.
"We plan to feature writers with national and statewide recognition along with writers from our local communities. Our goal is to connect and enrich diverse literary communities.”
The project is being guided by a committee that is already working on development of the series and includes Jason Gum, interim director of the Robert F. Kidd Library, Lisa Hayes-Minney, director of the Gilmer Public Library, English major Anna Childers, and Dr. Matthew Thiele, Dr. Jonathan Minton, and Professor Melissa Gish of the Department of Language and Literature.
The first event will be readings by Mary Imo-Stike, Dr. Marjorie Stewart, and Lisa Minney on Wednesday, February 12, at 6 p.m. in the Kidd Library.
Readings by Danielle Kelly and others who have contributed to the annual literary arts journal Trillium followed by an open-mic reading are planned for Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. at the Pioneer Stage on Main Street in Glenville.
The third annual Glenville Student Poetry Slam, hosted by the Little Kanawha Reading Series, will take place on Wednesday, March 11, at noon in the Rusty Musket at the college.
Writer Janet Smart will read on Monday, June 22, at noon at the Gilmer Public Library; that event will also kick off the Summer Learning Program at the public library.
All readings will be free and open to the public.
A calendar of dates and featured readers for 2020 will be available soon, including summer activities for area youth.
The committee welcomes ideas and input from campus and community members.
For more information about the Little Kanawha Reading Series, contact Minton via email at Jonathan.Minton@glenville.edu.
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